Brandi Baldwin, Madison Courier Staff Writer
The Economic Development Partners of Jefferson County signed a resolution Monday at their annual meeting urging the Kentucky and Indiana transportation departments to "take all necessary action" to qualify the Madison-Milton Bridge Project for the Federal Economic Stimulus Program in 2009.
The Stimulus Program would give counties large amounts of federal money for infrastructure projects while also creating jobs. However, for a project to qualify, it must be able to be started in 2009.
"We are concerned that we will not be ready to receive this money," EDP President Tony Waltz said.
The project is now in the planning stage which could take more than a year. If that timeline is to followed, the bridge couldn't be included as an infrastructure project and wouldn't qualify for federal funds.
Audience member Harry Elburg of Kent, said he was worried that the final decision on the bridge location would be based on how much it would cost rather than what was good for the town.
"It seems pretty vital to preserve the historic downtown," Elburg said. "Money's going to decide where it's going to go and it's going to destroy the town," he said.
Ann Grahn, a member of the bridge planning taskforce, said since the resolution could speed up the decision on where the bridge would be built, anyone wishing to express concerns or provide information should attend the February bridge meeting as it could be their final chance to affect the location of the bridge.
During the last year, the EDP went through several changes including a name change. Originally known as MIDCOR, it was given a new name to better describe its purpose. The change also caused strategies to be made to better facilitate the economic growth the EDP was created to provide.
"We thought this name better represented what we do," Waltz said.
The strategies came in four parts and included increasing and continuing to retain existing businesses and helping them expand to the next level. To help them expand, they intend to help develop the workforce through the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County and the Jefferson County Economic Opportunities 2015.
The second strategy was marketing areas that are a competitive advantage in Jefferson County, such as manufacturing, active retirees and tourism.
The third strategy was to accelerate the development of business parks, tourism and amenities.
The fourth strategy was to make those who work with economic development focus more effectively on these strategies.
Some economic developments that took place in Jefferson County this year include the creation of 30 jobs at Midwest Tube Mills through the purchase and relocation of Hovair Automotive, and 25 new jobs through Century Tube's expansion of production capabilities. Also, King's Daughters' Hospital announced the building of a new hospital and the EDP launched its new Web site at www.locateinmadison.com.
Also created was the Jefferson County Business Retention Expansion Visitation program, which will be used to better understand the needs of businesses, as well as their successes and frustrations. BREV is important because according to the EDP, 70 percent of all new jobs in America are created by local existing companies.
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